Brownback announced Brandon Smith’s departure Thursday. Smith has worked for the Brownback administration for nearly three years. Brownback’s office said Smith will take a job in Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration.

The announcement comes as Brownback is awaiting confirmation to be ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom in President Donald Trump’s administration. Once he is confirmed, Brownback will resign and Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer will become Kansas’ new governor.